‘It’s being said amongst our guards that she died a hero’s death. But it was a misguided and needless death, caused by the liar Duma, for which one day he’ll pay.
‘We’re guards, trained to fight, and we understand that we may lose a colleague in battle. I lost a good friend during that encounter, and it’s a dreadful experience, even for me, for a trained guard. But to lose a friend, a young lady, fighting alone at night without help, must be a hundred times worse. Especially someone so young, without ever being trained to fight or knowing what to expect.
‘We mourn any death, every death, and I know hers will be remembered with immense sadness for as long as our people still train to be guards. I’ll never know how much grief you must be feeling today, to lose your friend Holly like you did.’
All faces around the campfire stared off into the glowing coals, unable to look at each other. Kerri could see the mountain pass and shivered as she felt again the bitter cold and the deep snow. Carter looked at the flames and saw a candle, half burnt, placed upon an oak table, the flickering flame throwing little light upon the large room. Duma’s voice, low and seductive, telling them, ‘Your parents sent you here. You must protect the pass from the invaders, you must stop them, to protect your own land and your own family.’
He again saw Holly in tears, so afraid she gripped his arm and squeezed and squeezed. He saw himself acting with a bravery he didn’t feel, to protect Holly.
‘It will be okay,’ he’d said, ‘I’ll be close by; I’ll be there with you.’
But it wasn’t okay, and he hadn’t been there for her.
Others looked into the fire and saw the clan, joining together to celebrate Holly’s birthday. Singing and dancing. The individual memories came flooding back.
Naz looked at Vin, and nodded with pride at his friend’s newly found sense of diplomacy.
Ben broke the silence.
‘I believe Sam will feel no disrespect and will reach the same opinions if your message comes from you, or from me. I don’t expect Sam until nightfall and I don’t expect the gateway to last much longer.’
The bears sat quietly, deep in thought on the best way to deal with their quandary. Naz took a deep breath as a sign his decision had been made.
‘Our mission is to ask for assistance. Not for us, but for the people of the town that was betrayed by the thief Duma.’
Ben gave a sigh of relief, glad that Naz had made this choice.
‘I think we should move to the shade, and you explain to me all about it.’
They talked long into the afternoon. Ben asked questions, and Naz gave them the full story of why they were now in the mess that they found themselves in. At the end of the long hot afternoon, Ben made a suggestion.
‘I’ll tell Sam everything you’ve said, and everything that you ask. I’ll also tell him that I believe that your mission here is an honourable one, and that I believe we can trust you. There’s a marker on the hill on the other side of the tunnel. It shows us the gateway’s entrance. If it should collapse before Sam’s arrival, you should try to stay as close to that point as possible. We’ll open another gateway at the same point, and someone will come and give you Sam’s reply.’
‘That sounds like a good plan.’
‘It sounds better than yours,’ Kerri added, which managed to break the tension and raise a laugh from everyone.
‘Please remember, there’s a difference in how time will pass between us. A short time here may pass like a few days and nights there. But we’ll try and stay close to the marker on the other side for as long as we can.’
‘Maybe you should think about moving soon,’ said Carter, ‘this one seems a little different to how it was a while ago.’
They all turned and saw the gateway shimmering in different colours.
‘Yes, the time has come,’ said Naz.
‘Before you go, may I ask one thing?’ Kerri was nervous as to what the reply would be. She pushed on, ‘I probably have no right to ask this.’
‘You have every right to ask that which concerns you,’ answered Naz.
‘Please don’t leave Holly alone in the snow. Please, take her to rest somewhere warm and green, and peaceful.’
‘I promise I will try to do this for you.’
Each one was unsure how to say goodbye. They stood nervously looking at each other.
‘You must go,’ Ben said.
The bears walked towards the gateway and Kerri called out ‘Vin... I’m sorry I hit you on the head!’
He waved his arm in farewell.
It was evening by the time Sam arrived on the Northern Plains. A dozen men had come with him as escort, with Casey leading the way. Kerri and Carter saw them approaching, and rushed out to meet them. Casey lifted her high in the air, swinging her around like a little girl, to the great joy of Kerri, who could feel young and protected again. While they were making their noisy reunion, Ben took Sam to one side.
‘It wasn’t long ago they left. As you see, the gateway has collapsed.’ Ben pointed to the distant marker standing alone on the rise.
‘He was a bit hesitant to talk. He didn’t want to be seen as disrespectful to your position as head of the clan.’
Ben guided him over to the still-smoldering fire and motioned for him to sit. He poured them both warm berry juice and settled himself beside Sam.
‘I see the wind’s still blowing to the east. Have you noticed the fire spreading this way?’
‘It’s definitely getting closer, Sam. I think we just have to keep our hopes on the wind.’
‘So what exactly did they want?’
Ben recounted the conversation they’d had with Naz, filling him in on all the details Sam already had from Casey.
‘They said the land there was lost the moment the fire started. Kerri and Carter were attacked by one of these things. Carter was shocked at the strength of it. He said it was Kerri doubling back that saved him.’
‘What are your feelings about this, Ben?’
‘I got the sense they’re honourable people, or should I say bears? They’re trying to save the townspeople when they could leave them to fall and simply close their own border. They also seem to have a lot of respect for you. As they were leaving, Kerri asked them to take care of Holly. They promised to try. I feel they are genuinely honest people. It’s as they said, they can’t leave a town to pay for the crimes of Duma. They felt the need to help.’
‘And do you think we should help?’
‘I think we should,’ confirmed Ben.
‘I agree. The most important thing is to get the people out before the land is overrun. A decision on transit or settling will have to go before the clan. But that can come later. Also, if the men are here, we’ll have extra hands if the fire does get to our border. Do you still have a black stone?’
‘Yes, it’s in the water cask over there.’
‘And how long ago did you say they left?’
‘Just before you arrived. They said something about time being different between here and there.’
‘Casey was telling me about that, but I can’t say I understand it.’
‘They said they’ll wait as long as they can.’
‘OK, let’s call everyone together and put it to them.’
They stood in a circle, concern on their faces as they listened to Sam recount the events unfolding on the other side of the border.
‘I propose we try to help. Does anyone feel differently?’
There were no voices of dissent.
‘Okay, we send ten men through to protect the entrance from any apes that come south. Kerri and Carter were already attacked by one, so they are in the area. The rest of us will protect this side, to stop anything that looks ape-like from coming through. We send a runner back to bring up more men. If we need to, we can make a fighting retreat to the river, so long as that fire doesn’t reach the border. We’ll need a volunteer to lead. I can’t go through again, or you’ll be bringing me back as a bag of dust.’
‘You’ve been through already,’ said Ben, ‘are you sure it’s safe?’
‘No. I’m not sure.’
‘Then I’d like to lead,’ volunteered Ben.
‘It makes sense to me, Casey,’ Sam agreed, ‘you don’t want to end up looking like me.’
‘Okay, Ben, you lead. When do you want to go?’ Casey asked.
‘We should go now. I don’t like what I hear about this time delay that happens. Anything could be going on over there by now.’
‘I agree. Ten volunteers and a runner?’ called Sam.
Every man wanted to go through. ‘Ben, I’ll leave it to you to choose. Casey, can you bring the gateway stone?’
Sam gave Ben a description of the land on the other side. ‘You should also know when you first step through, it hits all your senses for a moment, it’s like you’re hypnotised. It’s the most dangerous time if anything is waiting on the other side for you. Step through and move.’
‘Okay Sam, anything else I should know?’
‘One other thing, I don’t want any fallen heroes over there. If things get difficult, pull everyone back. We can support you on this side, but not over there.’
‘I understand, Sam, I’ll get word back to you on what’s happening.’
‘Good luck, Ben.’
Casey walked towards the border, the black stone humming in his hand, the heat starting to burn his palm.
He took a final step and threw the stone towards the border, which instantly exploded in a flash of light, opening a new gateway to the north.
The town square was filled with people, every one of whom was trying to be heard. Mothers held their young children tightly to their skirts, while fathers shouted opinions and advice that no one heard. Dray pushed his way into the centre with Jojo at his side. Jojo let out a deafening roar to get everyone’s attention. Dray looked at the faces in the crowd and saw mostly fear.
‘You’ve all heard what awaits us. We need to leave now,’ he shouted. ‘We’ve run out of time.’
The shouts of objection from the crowd rose again.
Jojo stepped forward, lifting himself up to his imposing height. The crowd hushed at the sight of his massive stature.
‘The creatures that will come out of the forest will take no prisoners. If you choose to hide in your homes, an evil will fall on you that your worst nightmares cannot imagine. We couldn’t defeat these creatures, I don’t think you will. Go south now, while you still have a chance.’
Jojo turned to Dray, and very quietly he said, ‘Lead them out now, they will follow you.’
Dray shouted above the noise, ‘Take only the supplies you can carry. We leave now.’
He walked out of the square with Jojo and Sonny following. The crowd stepped aside to let them pass. Dray took the path to the terraced hillside, and the track south, without once looking back. The town quickly gathered themselves together and fell in behind him.
The exodus snaked its way out over the plateau, with Dray leading the way. The sun was falling quickly behind the western peaks, lighting the sky with shades of orange, purple, and red, but the evening’s display went unnoticed. All eyes looked south.
Jojo walked, keeping his gaze on the distant horizon.
‘I keep sensing there’s a dust cloud ahead,’ he told Dray. Stopping and rubbing the grit from his eyes, he stared out again over the flat landscape. He raised himself to his full height.
‘There, in the distance, I can see a column of dust coming this way.’
‘I see it now, that smudge on the horizon,’ Dray replied.
‘I can’t see how many are approaching. Pull the families in and form a defensive line around them,’ he ordered Dray.
Sonny came running to the front of the line, ‘What can I do?’
Dray, spurred into action, now took control.
‘Tell the Lion Prides I want a defensive line to the front, then organise the men to close up and encircle the families.’
The cats rushed to the front, their nervousness obvious to Jojo, showing in their clawing of the ground. They hunkered down, muscles tensed, readying themselves to pounce on their would-be attackers.
‘Pride, stay down!’ called Dray, trying to control their urge to attack.
Jojo rubbed his eyes again, to be sure.
‘It’s my guards! It’s Caldo and Fonz. Tell them they’re friendly,’ shouted Jojo.
The boss ran to the front waving them to stop. On seeing the boss, the two guards came to a sliding halt. A cloud of dust enveloped them and everyone who stood around them.
‘You two are making good time,’ said the boss.
‘We had word from Naz, you’ve got the crystal. Well done, Boss,’ Caldo smiled.
‘That’s right, everyone’s pulling back. Stop by the camp and let the boss know the three of us are helping to get the townspeople to the southern border. An ape was spotted on the ridge already, so keep to the far west. There’s a path which skirts the town, it takes you to the high ridge to the west; you’ll pick it up as you reach the terraces. Move quietly. The guards are pulling back through the Western Pass.’
‘What about you, Boss?’ asked Fonz.
‘If the South Land lets these people through, our job is done. We’ll take a wide detour and keep above the snow line. I don’t think the apes will survive long at altitude. We’ll make our way back to the Western Pass from above.’
‘What if they don’t let these people through, Boss?’
‘They’ll have to go west, to the High Peaks and beyond. That’s their only route out.’
‘These children will never survive the snows,’ observed Caldo.
‘I know that. Have you another suggestion?’
‘Sorry, Boss.’
‘You’d better get going if you’re to catch up with the guards.’
The three stood for a moment longer, knowing this could be more than a goodbye.
He slapped them both on the shoulders. ‘Get going, you two, and keep it quiet.’
There was real sadness in their voices when they said, with a heavy heart, ‘Good luck, Boss.’
Caldo and Fonz ran past the column of refugees, trying not to look at the faces of the women and children.
Through the deserted town, he ran from house to house, room to room, unwilling to believe it had been taken from him.
To be closed away in a box, the power never used. What right did they have to waste such a gift? They wouldn’t dare give it back to the cowardly bears, to those afraid to touch it, to feel its power in their hand. The crystal was destined to be controlled by the strong, by him.
He ran to the next room. They must have hidden it, they were afraid to hold it. He ripped the doors from cupboards, sent drawers flying across the room, pulled up the carpets.
‘It has to be here,’ he shouted.
His mind screaming, It’s got to be here somewhere!
‘The hall, it must be in the town hall,’ he shouted, running to the largest building in the town centre.
Just on the edge of his peripheral vision, he noticed something move. Not important enough to stop him from his search, he ran into the gloom of the unlit hall. But there was nowhere to hide anything in an empty hall.
‘Where have you put it!’ he screamed into the hollow emptiness of his now-empty town.
Again, a movement. This time something did register.
‘You’ve come back for it, but you’ll never take it from me,’ he shouted.
His voice echoing back to him from the empty hall. He looked quickly from side to side. Something moved again, two red glows near the doorway. He turned to face whatever was making the light.
‘You’ll not have it,’ he screamed, ‘it’s mine, only I can control it!’
His mind only registered the glowing eyes, the bared teeth, and the salivating mouth charging at him, after it was too late.
Far in the distance, a chilling scream rang out on the wind, followed by ano
ther and another. The column stopped, looking back to their town above the terraced fields of crops that would never be harvested again.
‘We need to get off this plateau,’ said Jojo, ‘Get them moving, Dray, quickly.’
‘Pride,’ he called, ‘Half of you to the rear, get the stragglers moving quicker.’
‘Their eyesight is much better than ours in the dark, they’re at home in the gloom. We must get to some cover,’ urged Jojo.
‘The boulder field will help us, it isn’t far now,’ replied Dray.
Jojo noticed Sonny walking ahead, his head nearly touching the ground, his tail dragging in the dirt. Jojo approached him and placed his arm on Sonny’s shoulder.
Sonny looked up, ‘Don’t say anything, not a word.’ The anger in his voice could be heard clearly. ‘That was not my father. My father never came back from the Northern Desert.’ He moved away, to be alone with his anger and grief.
The pace quickened, with the cats urging them on through the darkness. No one wanted to be left exposed on the plateau at night. The people at the front of the column were walking quicker to stay close to the cats for protection, some of the children had to run to keep up. The running children started others behind running, not wanting to be left behind.
When the adults saw the children running, they too ran. Within moments, everyone in the column was running, leading to panic amongst the older townspeople and the younger children who couldn’t keep up. Screams were heard from mothers who, losing hold of their children and unable to fight against the fleeing tide of people, were helplessly pushed forward without them. The Lion Pride at the front had to run to keep ahead, leading to further panic.
‘They’re leaving us!’ someone shouted.
The people started to drop their possessions in an effort to keep up. Someone behind tripped over a fallen bundle, pulling someone down with him. They were trampled over without anyone thinking to stop. The panicked, fleeing people stirred up an immense dust cloud, making it impossible for the cats at the rear to see a thing.
Jojo had taken himself away from the column when the panic had started. He couldn’t understand what was happening. He jogged on the upwind side, keeping out of the dust, keeping up but well away.
Shifters Alliance Page 21
